It's not just Chapman who felt the short session went well. Reds manager Bryan Price was happy with what he saw.

"He threw the ball outstanding, he threw all his pitches, including his slider," Price said. "He was sharp, extremely enthusiastic. He was happy to be out there, as we all were. We were all out there to watch it. It was exciting."

Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman says he feels very good after throwing 25 pitches from the mound for the first time since his injury.
C. Trent Rosecrans

Price said they'd know more on Tuesday about how Chapman's body responded to the session, and it would likely be Thursday before Chapman threw again. However, if he responds well, he could start throwing every other day.

The Reds will have Chapman throw several more bullpen sessions before throwing live batting practice and facing live hitters.

"It's an obvious and essential step to the next thing, which will be live batting practice and game situations," Price said. "I think facing batters will be the biggest hurdle for him initially, but we haven't seen any reason to believe he's anything other than optimistic about getting back on the mound and facing hitters."

When Chapman does do that, Price said it'll be up to the pitcher whether he uses a screen or not to protect himself from the hitters. Before they get to that point, he'll have to be cleared by doctors to be put in that live baseball situation.

There's still no real timetable for any of those steps -- but they are coming up, which has to be good news for Chapman and the Reds.

Chapman said he's not asking those questions, instead just waiting to do whatever he's told.

"To be honest with you, I'll do whatever they decide to do with me," Chapman said via Vera. "I have to wait for what the doctor's decision is, what Bryan's decision is -- whatever they tell me to do, I have to do it. I feel good physically, mentally and my arm feels very good right now."